Libyan State Council condemned for legislative takeover bid

The State Council’s (SC) decision yesterday to take over the legislative authority of the House of Representatives (HoR) has been condemned by UN Special Envoy for Libya Martin Kobler and members of the council and HoR.

Kobler tweeted his concern about the SC’s decision and for the legislative authority to remain with the HoR.  The “fragile situation should not be exploited,” he said, adding that there should be no unilateral actions “politically or on the ground”.

State Council member Belgassem Igzeit described the move as unacceptable “provocation” and an escalation of current divisions.

HoR Deputy President Emhemed Shouaib, who headed the HoR team to the UN-brokered Libya Dialogue, and HoR spokesman Abdullah Bulaihak described the SC’s move as a “coup” and an escalation of the Libyan crisis which did nothing for dialogue.

The SC yesterday declared it would take full legislative authority of Libya after branding the HoR as non-existent.